“Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but they whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death.” - Leonardo da Vinci
How does your character allow you to pursue your principles? The Making of a Memory
One can’t predict when or where they will come from; those memories that stay with us a lifetime, and never fail to bring us warm fuzzy feelings. My husband had just finished loading his car; made one lap back through the house and then into the kitchen. 'I guess filling my thermos is all I have left to do, and then I’m off.' Down the drain went the hot water that had been warming his thermos. With a very nostalgic look on his face he softly said, 'When I filled this with water earlier, I thought of your mom. In fact, anytime I fill my thermos I think her.' 'Oh honey, that’s so sweet. I know she’s watching and listening right now with a big smile on her face,' I responded as tears began to brim my eyelids. 'You know, I never fill my thermos that I don’t think of her, and I always smile too.' The tone in his voice was so tender as he spoke of my mother who is no longer with us. Years ago, we had been visiting my parents, and the morning we were leaving my mother watched as Jerry began to fill his thermos. Being the 'coffee drinker' in the family, he’s always placed himself in charge of thermos duties. Mom then casually offered up a tidbit of advice. 'Jerry, if you would fill your thermos with hot water and let it sit a while, your coffee would stay hot longer on your drive.' The look on his face was priceless as her simple suggestion sunk in. Well of course it would! It only makes all the sense in the world! Who wouldn’t know that? He dumped the small amount of coffee already in the thermos, and ran the tap until it was at its hottest; then refilled it with piping hot water. After pouring himself a fresh cup of coffee, he sat down to enjoy a few more minutes with mom, and to discuss this unique new idea. Words of wisdom from a loving mother-in-law made an impact that will never be forgotten. When spoken that morning, Jerry didn’t realize he would always hear those words ringing in his ears, or that they would bring a smile to his face time and time again. And Mother would never have dreamed her words would be a treasured, and everlasting memory in the heart of her son-in-law. The 'fondest, lasting memories' don’t necessarily come from 'major moments' in life, the making of a memory simply happens. Written by: Kathleen S. Baker “There is only one judge of a person: himself. The decisions you make and the actions that follow are a reflection of who you truly are. You cannot hide from yourself.” - Busgido Saying
What do your decisions say about yourself? “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” - Vincent Van Gogh
Do you excel at the small things as well as the big? There are only ten days left to pre-order my new book, Sustainable Excellence, Ten Principles To Leading Your Uncommon and Extraordinary Life! The book will be available for shipment on October 20. You can pre-order using this link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GLGVTVS
“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” - Milton Berle
How will you know when opportunity is knocking? “Always fall in with what you’re asked to accept. Take what is given, and make it over your way. My aim in life has always been to hold my own with whatever’s going. Not against: with.” - Robert Frost
How are you taking what’s given and making it your own? “Empathy begins with understanding life from another person’s perspective. Nobody has an objective experience of reality. It’s all through our own individual prisms.” - Sterling K. Brown
How are you able to see the perspective of others? “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” - Jackie Robinson
What impact does your life have on others? “Weak people revenge. Strong people forgive. Intelligent people ignore.” - Albert Einstein
Which type of person do you want to become? Five Ways to Speak More Powerfully
Whatever direction your words lead, your mind, body and environment will inevitably follow. If you use positive language about yourself and your ability to learn new skills, achieve your goals and handle pressure, then that’s what tends to show up externally. Tapping into your personal power starts with building self-awareness of where you are, using what psychologists call “out of power” language. To that end, below are five ways you can change how you speak in order to build your confidence. Number 1: Speak possibilities into your life. Focus on things you want and you’ll spot opportunities you might have otherwise missed. Number 2: Don’t “try” to do something. Committing with a confident can-do spirit shifts the energy you bring to a challenge and rallies people around you in ways that trying, wishing and “hoping for the best” never will. Number 3: Never say never. Most of us have no idea what is actually possible. Likewise, when we use absolute terms as descriptors, we fall into what is known as a “linguistic trap” – confining ourselves to the walls our words create. Number 4: Never apologize for having an opinion. Devaluing your opinion serves no one and deprives everyone of the value your perspective brings. Number 5: Beware of labels. They Limit. Just because you failed at something doesn’t mean you are a failure. Neuroscientists have found that with repeated practice, you can rewire your brain. How you speak included. When you slip back into default habits, as you inevitably will, don’t beat yourself up or label yourself as a lost cause. Rather, accept your fallibility and refocus on the positive changes you want to make. You can kick-start your efforts by asking your favorite three people to call you out each time they hear you use “out of power” language. From the article: 5 Ways to Speak More Powerfully by Margie Warrell – December 2, 2016 – Success Magazine “The superior man thinks always of virtue; the common man thinks of comfort.” - Confucius
How are your thoughts leading you to a life of virtue? “Gratitude is something of which none of us can give too much. For on the smiles, the thanks we give, our little gestures of appreciation, our neighbors build up their philosophy of life.” - A. J. Cronin
How is your appreciation helping those around you? |
Author & Motivational SpeakerTerry is a sought after speaker who believes in the power of a story to motivate, inspire, and help others lead their uncommon and extraordinary lives. By combining his eleven-year cancer journey with his diverse business, athletic coaching, and hostage negotiating expertise, he delivers compelling yet relatable presentations for conferences, on-line events, panels, meetings, and seminars. Archives
March 2024
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